Hepatitis B Vaccine FAQs

Caused by a virus that attacks the liver, hepatitis B is a serious disease that can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.

The virus is spread when blood, semen, or another body fluid from an infected person enters the body of someone who is not infected, such as through sexual contact or sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment. Hepatitis B can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby at birth.

In the US, the hepatitis B vaccine was implemented for some adults and children on a routine basis in 1982 and for all children in 1991. Since 1991, the hepatitis B vaccine has become one of the many routine immunizations children receive in the first years of life.

New cases of hepatitis B have since dropped by more than 95% in children and adolescents, and by 75% in other age groups. Vaccination provides long-term, and possibly lifelong, protection from hepatitis B infection.

Babies typically receive three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine:

1st dose given at birth

2nd dose given at 1-2 months of age

3rd dose given at 6-18 months of age

Adolescents under 18 years old and adults getting the hepatitis B vaccine should get 3 doses as follows: